Climate Change, Multinationals and Human Rights in Nigeria: A Case for Climate Justice

Abstract

In Nigeria, many of its citizens are quite vulnerable to the vagaries or negative impacts of climate change. This has been exacerbated by a plethora of factors not limited to poverty, the activities of multinational companies (MNCs) and endemic environmental injustice issues in many parts of the country especially the Niger Delta region (wherein the oil and gas industry is located). Arguably, the impacts of climate change will have negative consequences on Nigerians (especially in the Niger Delta).

This chapter relies on climate justice as its analytical lens. Climate justice which is an offshoot of the environmental justice paradigm can be used to improve access to justice and protect climate change victims in Nigeria. The chapter also highlights some of the recent reforms or initiatives by the Nigerian government in improving climate justice in the country. This chapter discusses the potential of climate change litigation in Nigeria as one of the strategies that can be used in ventilating climate justice issues in the country.

Keywords: Nigeria, Climate Litigation, Climate Justice, Court, Transnational Litigation